When most people think of Naples, Florida, they picture pristine hotels and sandy beaches, but only a few miles inland, a very different tradition roars to life. In true Floridian fashion, what was once invented for practical use has turned into one of Naples locals’ best and most exciting events. Swamp buggy races are loud, unpredictable, and one-of-a-kind.
Swamp buggies are off-road vehicles with giant tractor tires that blast through water, mud, and deep pits. The races have occurred for 77 years and are now held on a figure-eight course at the Florida Sports Park. Each season kicks off with the annual Swamp Buggy parade, and each year, a young woman is crowned Swamp Buggy Queen.
Family Tradition
Swamp buggy racing is not just a sport, but a family tradition passed down through generations. Competitors can buy the motor, but everything else is built entirely from scratch. Families and close friends work together as teams, spending countless hours in garages preparing their vehicles. All of this is done to win trophies, cash prizes, and most importantly, titles and bragging rights. Often, records are broken by other family members; what uncle can really be annoyed if their own nephew is the one to beat their record? Today, the track record is held by Dan Greenling, who set the fastest lap with a time of 47.97 seconds…